THE COREID^. 559 



insects in which the scent is ratner agreeable than otherwise 

 but as a general rule the odour is simply disgusting, as anyout" 

 knows who has captured and set many specimens. 



On Woodcut LXIV. are seen two examples of the family 

 Coreidae. This is a large family, and contains within it many 

 of the largest and most conspicuous members of the Heteroptera. 

 They are known by the form of the antennae, which consist of 

 four joints, and have the last joint either thickened or elon- 

 gated. The beak is usually long. Fig. 2 represents the insect 

 called Veiiusia rhombea. 



This species is not brilliantly coloured, the general hue 

 being a dull yellowish-brown. The upper surface is covered 

 with exceedingly minute punctures. The head is darker than 

 the rest of the body, and the sides of the thorax are ochreous- 

 yellow. It is much paler below than above, and the legs are 

 yellow. It is common on the leaves of trees in the autumn. 

 The specific name of Rhombea is given to this insect in 

 consequence of the singular shape of the abdomen, which is 

 flattened and widened into a rhomb-like shape, as seen in the 

 illustration. 



In common with the rest of its family, the species can both 

 run and fly well, choosing the hottest part of the day for their 

 flight. As is the case with the Water-boatmen, they make a 

 loud humming soimd with their wings, sometimes as loud and 

 deep as that of the humble-bee. 



At Fig. 3 on the same Woodcut is shown an insect belonginir 

 to the typical genus called Coreus hirticornis. 



The colour of this insect is dull chocolate-brown above, and 

 the upper surface is thickly covered with minute wrinkles, 

 which even extend over the legs and thighs. Beneath, it is 

 ochreous-yellow, mottled with a rather darker hue. The sides 

 of the thorax have a narrow edge of white. The antennae are 

 remarkable for their hairy covering, which extends throughout 

 their whole length, and has gained for the insect the specific 

 name of hirticornis^ or hairy-horn. The insect is common on 

 thistles. 



The larvae and pupae of insects belonging to this famii}' 

 are like the perfect insect in gcmeral form. The larvae, how- 



